"1D" MEMS technology forms the basis of its all-optical wavelength switch

September 11, 2001

2 Min Read

Network Photonics Inc., a leader in wavelength switching systems, today announced details of its CrossWave switching technology. Network Photonics’ CrossWave technology enables the dynamic switching of DWDM wavelengths by integrating demultiplexing, switching and multiplexing into a single, purely photonic operation. This results in much lower cost and space requirements by eliminating the need for external DWDM multiplexers and repeated OEO conversions.

The key to CrossWave’s unique design lies in the tight integration of 1-dimensional (1-D) MEMS and a wavelength dispersive element. This powerful design results in a dramatic reduction in size, cost and power consumption compared to 2-D and 3-D MEMS optical cross-connect systems, while increasing system reliability and optical performance.

“The overall cost to carriers to deploy CrossWave switching equipment will be an order of magnitude less expensive than any competitive technology,” said Steve Georgis, chairman, president and CEO of Network Photonics. “Our 1-D MEMS design is truly innovative, reliable, scalable and manufacturable. We have designed a state-of-the-art automated optical manufacturing line for volume manufacturing and we are building an increasing number of switches every week. Our 1-D CrossWave design gives customers the scalability of 3-D devices with the simplicity of 2-D devices.”

The CrossWave 1-D MEMS technology consists of a single, linear array of micromirrors and is highly scalable, requiring only one mirror to switch each wavelength. The wavelength dispersive element spatially separates wavelengths from input fibers and focuses them on the surface of a micromirror in the 1-D MEMS array where the switching occurs. The dispersive element then recombines the independently switched wavelengths into DWDM signals which in turn exit into the output fibers. The 1-D linear array of micromirrors is controlled with simple digital electronics. Each mirror is positioned accurately in one of several highly stable positions with switching times of less than a millisecond. With digital positioning, there are no complex servo systems necessary to ensure stable and repeatable positioning of the micromirrors. This results in low cost, low power, small package size and high reliability. Developed in-house at Network Photonics, the company has over 30 patents pending on the technology.

“CrossWave is a compelling solution for carriers and equipment providers looking to dramatically increase the performance of their existing DWDM networks and systems while significantly reducing their deployment costs,” said Lawrence Gasman, president of Communications Industry Researchers. “With the introduction of CrossWave, Network Photonics has just raised the bar for optical switching equipment.”

Network Photonics will use its scalable CrossWave technology to build all-optical Wavelength Cross-Connects (WXCs) to address a number of applications in today’s linear and ring networks as well as emerging mesh topologies. Across the applications, CrossWave allows equipment manufacturers and service providers to dynamically switch wavelengths at a fraction of today’s cost. Network Photonics currently has CrossWave systems available for customer and partner testing and will have general product availability in early 2002.

Network Photonics Inc.

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